Chapter 154: Abandoned
Ji Yao fell silent after hearing Mama Song's message.
He didn’t know how he would face Jinchao if she were to marry him, or how she would face this child.
But... who was behind all this? Who was helping Jinchao with these matters?
Originally, he had wanted to marry Gu Jinzhao not just because it seemed like a decent match, but more so to comply—to comply with his grandmother’s wishes and to accommodate Jinchao’s life. He thought that men like An Songhuai or Wang Zan would only harm her if they married her, but what about himself?
After what had happened, wouldn’t marrying her also harm her? She might not have said she minded, but how could she not?
Ji Yao gazed at the heavy snow outside the lattice window, lost in thought for a long time.
Jinchao had no special feelings for him—he could sense that. He had initially believed that with time, their relationship would improve. But after this incident, could he face her as usual? Thinking of his grandmother’s heartbroken and disappointed expression pained him deeply. Back then, he had despised Gu Jinchao so much that he had taken advantage of managing the villa in Sanhe to secretly meet with Luo Tai, committing such a mistake... What unsettled him even more was the uncertainty—did he truly love her? Or was it merely the bond of childhood friendship, coupled with her aloofness, that made him unwilling to let go?
He had once hated her so much—where did these feelings even come from?
The image of the child’s tear-streaked, innocent face flashed in his mind, and Ji Yao closed his eyes.
It wasn’t until evening that he went to see Ji Wu Shi.
Ji Wu Shi said to him, “...It’s fine if you want to postpone this marriage for now. I’ve noticed that ever since you were children, the two of you were like oil and water—perhaps your personalities just don’t align.” Her voice softened slightly. “Even if the marriage doesn’t happen, you’re still her cousin, and our Ji family will always be her maternal relatives. That won’t change. However, since the proposal was already agreed upon with the Gu family, we’ll need a suitable explanation for suddenly backing out.”
They couldn’t let the reputations of both families suffer.
Ji Yao had already thought it through. “Blame it on me. I’m already past eighteen, but Chaojie still has half a year left before her mourning period ends. We can’t wait...” Using mourning as the reason was acceptable, though it would slightly damage the Ji family’s reputation.
Ji Wu Shi nodded—this was the best excuse.
However, such an explanation wouldn’t suffice for the Gu family. The matter of Ji Yao’s child wasn’t something to be proud of either, so it was best not to let it spread. After some thought, Ji Wu Shi said, “Madam Zhao and the child should stay for now...” Keeping the child was to ensure the Ji bloodline didn’t stray outside. Keeping Madam Zhao was to prevent her from spreading rumors once she left the Ji household.
“Let your mother raise the child. He’s already two—teach him well, and he’ll learn well. To outsiders, we’ll say he’s a child fostered here from the Wu family... After all, he’s your flesh and blood. Visit him when you have time.” Ji Wu Shi couldn’t help but frown, recalling the timid child she had seen the night before. Raised by someone like Madam Zhao, how could he turn out well? The child was not only timid but also lacked discipline. As a descendant of the Ji family, he couldn’t remain like this.
Still, the child was young. With proper guidance, he would learn well and gradually forget his birth mother.
Ji Yao nodded."The Gu family... We were originally meant to replace Wang Zan's marriage proposal. We can't let them look down on Chaojie." Ji Wu Shi pondered for a moment. "I'll personally speak to the Gu family. This Madam Feng cares most about face."
Having made up her mind, Ji Wu Shi sent a reply to Jinchao.
After reading the reply, Jinchao lit a candle and burned the letter. Her grandmother had said she would no longer insist on the marriage, which eased Jinchao's heart. Facing Ji Yao would have been difficult for her. Still, she knew her grandmother must be upset by this decision... After some thought, she picked up her brush to write a comforting reply. The marriage mattered little to her—her previous life's marriage had drained her energy, and in this life, she only wished to live leisurely as a wealthy woman.
Yet even if she didn’t marry Ji Yao, she needed to consider other paths. Luo Yongping was currently in Daxing... Gu Jinzhao contemplated for a moment. It wouldn’t be convenient for Luo Yongping to visit the ancestral home. She wanted to meet him personally to discuss matters unsuitable for letters.
But how to arrange such a meeting required careful thought.
December 2nd, just after the Minor Cold solar term, marked the coldest days of winter.
Ji Wu Shi personally traveled from Tongzhou to the Gu residence. Madam Feng greeted her with a smile: "Such cold weather, and yet you’ve troubled yourself to come..." A few days prior, the Countess of Yongyang had relayed that the Ji family’s marriage proposal would be delayed, which had left Madam Feng puzzled.
Now, seeing Ji Wu Shi’s visit, her unease grew. Unless the situation was serious, why would Ji Wu Shi come in person?
Ji Wu Shi’s visit meant she was already conceding ground.
With a faint smile, Ji Wu Shi said, "It’s been years since I last saw you, and I’ve missed you, old sister." Behind her, a servant carried in a small sandalwood Buddha statue. "I know you enjoy Buddhist devotion. Though this sandalwood statue isn’t particularly rare, it has some age to it."
Madam Feng glanced at the statue, and her heart skipped a beat.
...The quality and luster of the wood—its value was easily worth a thousand gold!
Madam Feng then had someone summon Gu Jinzhao and the others to pay their respects to Ji Wu Shi. The two women entered the western chamber and closed the door to talk privately.
Ji Wu Shi explained the decision to withdraw the marriage proposal and offered apologies. Madam Feng was momentarily stunned.
Hadn’t the marriage been nearly settled? How could it fall through so abruptly?
Ji Wu Shi continued, "...We hadn’t planned properly. Yao’er wishes to marry soon, but Chaojie must observe half a year of mourning, and the timing simply doesn’t align. I feel guilty as well. If you’re willing, when Chaojie marries, I’ll contribute generously to her dowry." She smiled again. "If you can arrange a good match for Jinzhao, I’ll be endlessly grateful. I’ve heard the Gu family owns a bookstore in Baodi, right on Gulan Lane. I’ll be sure to patronize your business often..."
Madam Feng finally understood and smiled in return. "...I understand your difficulties, old sister. Even if the marriage doesn’t proceed, it shouldn’t harm our families’ goodwill. We’re still kin, though I fear Jinzhao will be disappointed... As for the business, there’s no need for such formalities. Please take whatever you like."Ji Wu Shi no longer wished to propose the marriage, and it certainly wasn't because Gu Jinzhao was in mourning. If it were due to the mourning period, she would have considered it earlier. Moreover, Ji Yao was already over eighteen and still unmarried—what difference would a day or two make? There must be some hidden reason, but without Ji Wu Shi speaking up, she naturally wouldn't know what it was.
Furthermore, Ji Wu Shi's words were carefully chosen, clearly intending to compensate the Gu family. She certainly didn’t believe that Ji Wu Shi’s so-called "taking care of business" merely meant buying a few extra inkstones from the Gu family’s bookstore. There must be substantial compensation involved, but all of this hinged on her securing a good marriage for Jinzhao... Ji Wu Shi was trying to leverage her concern for Gu Jinzhao’s marriage prospects!
She disliked others interfering in her affairs. But Ji Wu Shi’s words were tactful and gave her plenty of face.
Madam Feng thus took the opportunity to step down gracefully.
The Ji family’s marriage proposal had been a good one, and losing it was indeed a pity. But if they no longer wished to proceed, there was nothing she could do. At least the Ji family had set a precedent, so Chaojie’s marriage prospects should improve somewhat.
After a while, Gu Jinzhao and the others came to pay their respects. Ji Wu Shi chatted with Madam Feng for a bit longer before taking Jinzhao’s hand and returning to Beautiful Embroidery Hall.
This was Ji Wu Shi’s first time seeing her residence in Daxing, and she found it satisfactory: "...Though not spacious, it’s elegantly arranged. She hasn’t treated you too poorly."
Jinzhao smiled and invited Ji Wu Shi to sit on the heated kang. "I’ve just made some walnut cakes—let me bring them for you. Father and Rong-ge will also come to pay their respects shortly." Ji Wu Shi held Gu Jinzhao’s hand and shook her head.
"Don’t trouble yourself, Grandmother isn’t hungry... I came here to talk with you. About your second cousin’s matter... Grandmother knows you have your own judgment. But you must be careful—those who help you with these things might have ulterior motives..."
Gu Jinzhao felt the faint calluses on Ji Wu Shi’s hand and thought to herself that her grandmother was a perceptive woman who saw everything clearly. She replied, "Don’t worry, I understand." After a pause, she added, "...I didn’t see Second Cousin come with you. Please let him know it’s not his fault. But... what do you plan to do with that child?"
In her past life, this child had never appeared in the Ji family. She assumed Ji Wu Shi had quietly arranged for the child’s care, and the fourth daughter of the Earl of Yongyang likely never knew. In this life, the child had appeared a few years earlier—would it affect Ji Yao’s marriage prospects?
Ji Wu Shi said, "The child is only two, too young to remember anything, and after all, he is of Ji blood. I’ve taken him in under the pretense of fostering him for the Wu family, to avoid tarnishing Yao-ge’s reputation."
Jinzhao sighed in relief. From her grandmother’s tone, it seemed the matter had been suppressed.
"Don’t overthink it. Even if things don’t work out between me and Second Cousin, he’ll have a good marriage." Gu Jinzhao comforted Ji Wu Shi.
They spoke for a long while.
Before leaving, Ji Wu Shi held her hand and whispered, "Grandmother will keep an eye on your marriage prospects. If Madam Feng tries to marry you off carelessly, it won’t be easy! Chaojie, if you ever face difficulties, you must tell Grandmother..." She reached up and gently touched Jinzhao’s hair.
Gu Jinzhao’s eyes grew warm, and she nodded with a smile.The marriage arrangement between Gu Jinzhao and Ji Yao had to be temporarily shelved. Fortunately, both families hadn't yet exchanged the Marriage Certificate to formalize the engagement. This wasn't too troublesome.
In the residence of Marquis Changxing, Ye Xian had just finished reviewing a case file.
Zhi Shu came to assist him with his bedtime preparations, muttering, "Young Master, you always read these things before sleep. What if you can't rest well tonight... Last time you told me about that massacre case, I dreamed of corpses all night..."
Ye Xian replied, "I only wish I could dream of them..." He tossed the file aside and closed his eyes to rest. "They're all corrupt officials. To rule that a woman poisoned her own child in such a case and even recommend execution..." His tone was laced with disdain.
Zhi Shu asked quietly, "Does Young Master think the woman was wrongfully accused?" But how would he know without presiding over the trial himself!
Ye Xian nodded. "They suspected the child died of poisoning. When they submerged the internal organs in water, the lungs sank—that proves the child died before birth. The woman gave birth to a stillborn, yet was accused of poisoning her own child. What a bizarre injustice..."
Zhi Shu nearly covered his ears, listening with a pained expression until his master finished. Then he whispered, "Earlier, Guard Li came with news that the marriage arrangement between the Gu and Ji families ultimately fell through... The Ji family adopted that child. And that Madam Wang has proposed another marriage to Magistrate Xu of Tongzhou..."
After hearing Zhi Shu's words, Ye Xian fell silent for a moment, his fingers lightly tapping the desk.
If the Ji family had truly given up on the proposal, then they weren't being too unreasonable. But Gu Jinzhao's marriage remained an issue—she was already sixteen. If Ji Yao wasn't suitable, what if no other suitable candidate appeared? The Gu family's elderly madam didn't seem like a good person either.
Though she had said not to interfere, how could he possibly stand aside?
Gazing into the ink-black night, he pondered quietly.
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